Alcohol blamed for bird deaths in Romania

BUCHAREST, Romania, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Dozens of dead starlings found in a Romanian city were not victims of avian flu, as first feared, but were the victims of alcohol poisoning, officials said.

Residents found the dead birds on the outskirts of Constanta, BBC News reported this week.

Authorities were notified out of concern they might have died from avian flu.

Romania has had outbreaks of avian flu in the past, including a March 2010 incident that resulted in some birds being culled.

However, local veterinary officials said the starlings died after eating grape pulp left over from wine-making.

Analysis of the starlings' gizzards showed they died from alcohol poisoning, the head of the local sanitary and veterinary authority said.